Robotic Tool Wireless Bearing Detection for Autonomous Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Self-propelled robotic tools, such as lawn mowers, face challenges in navigating complex work areas efficiently, leading to uneven coverage and requiring complex navigation systems that may not be reliable or cost-effective.
Innovation Solution
A method using wireless signals transmitted between a self-propelled robotic tool and a base station to calculate the bearing and position of the tool relative to the base station, without external GPS, by measuring propagation time differences along separate signal paths, allowing for simple and robust navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex navigation systems are used to navigate robotic tools in complex work areas, then navigation reliability may improve, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical navigation systems with an electromagnetic wave-based bearing detection system. The robotic tool uses a bearing detector to sense electromagnetic waves emitted by the base station, converting electromagnetic field information into directional guidance without complex mechanical components or external GPS infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electromagnetic waves as an intermediary between the base station and the robotic tool. The base station emits electromagnetic waves that propagate through the work area, and the robotic tool detects these waves to determine its bearing relative to the base station, creating a simple yet reliable communication and navigation channel.
2Measurement precision
If external navigation systems like GPS are used, then positioning accuracy may improve, but device complexity and dependency on external equipment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the navigation function from external systems like GPS and implements it within the local work area using the base station and bearing detector. This self-contained system eliminates dependency on external satellite infrastructure while maintaining positioning accuracy through local electromagnetic wave propagation characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The base station serves multiple functions: it acts as both the charging/docking station and the navigation reference point for the robotic tool. The electromagnetic waves it emits serve dual purposes of communication and positioning guidance, simplifying the overall system architecture.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method enables efficient and reliable navigation of robotic tools within complex areas, ensuring complete coverage and simplifying the design of the docking interface, while eliminating the need for external navigation systems.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting a wireless signal along a first straight signal path between the robotic tool and a first wireless interface of a base station remote from the robotic tool; transmitting a wireless signal along a second straight signal path between the robotic tool and a second wireless interface of the base station
Data Source
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Figure 3~4b
Figure 5a~5b
AI summary
A method of navigating a self-propelled robotic tool comprises transmitting a wireless signal (66) along a first signal path between the robotic tool (14) and a first wireless interface of a base station (16) remote from the robotic tool (14); transmitting a wireless signal (66) along a second signal path between the robotic tool (14) and a second wireless interface of the base station (16), said second wireless interface being spatially separated from the first wireless interface by a separation distance; upon receipt, comparing the signal transmitted along the first signal path with the signal transmitted along the second signal path to obtain a propagation time difference between the signal transmitted along the first signal path and the signal transmitted along the second signal path, said propagation time difference defining a path length difference between said first and second signal paths; and calculating, based on the separation distance and the path length difference, a value representative of a bearing ( φ) from the base station (16) to the robotic tool (14).